I always dreamt of being captain - Ryan
Ryan Mason has had a few days for it to sink in - and without question, captaining the team last week against Fiorentina is one of the highlights of his career so far.
The Academy graduate wore the armband for the first time in Florence, joining a list of all-time greats to lead the side out.
And it's when you throw the names at the midfielder - Danny Blanchflower, Alan Mullery, Steve Perryman, Gary Mabbutt, Ledley King, Michael Dawson - that it dawns on him what a special moment it was in the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
Ryan, now 24, led by example as we secured a 1-1 draw in the first leg of our Europa League Round of 32 tie.
"You hear this from footballers a lot, but I always dreamt of being captain," he reflected after training on Tuesday.
"As a young kid, I remember before games the referee would always shout ‘who are the captains’ and I’d always run to the centre and captain the side.
Very proud moment and an honour to captain the side tonight! An important away goal going into the game at the Lane next week! #COYS
— Ryan Mason (@RyanMason) February 18, 2016
"When I was playing Under-21 football it was always an honour to captain the side and the experience of leading the team out for such a crucial game at Fiorentina was an unbelievable feeling.
"I was so excited just to be back playing because I’d spent a long time out and the gaffer pulled me to one side and said ‘are you ready to captain the side?’ and obviously it was a dream.
"It’s another cliché, but it’s another dream ticked off my list.
"I’ve got a taste of it now and hopefully if I’m still here and involved in a few years’ time I'll get the chance on a more consistent basis."
Look out for Ryan's interview in full in 'The Big Interview' tomorrow...